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Sermon Notes
Psalm 127 May 29, 2011
Intro: Over 6,000 American soldiers have died in the War of Terror
- Husbands, Fathers…. Mostly Sons & Daughters
- Tragedy of War… Grief that clings to the Soul (child)
ILL– The devastating Storms this week…Piedmont (Thionnet)
n Hammil Family…. Cole (15 months) & Ryan (3)
n Over 100 people searched for Cole
n At a news conference to thank the searchers, Hank Hammil, “It’s a bad deal. I’ve lost both my boys!”
Children Are Valuable.
t/s – This is not simply a cultural or social truth; but a Scriptural…
Biblical Suppositions of Family Life (Bedrocks that keep us Solid)
- Family is the Arena for Our Faith. (Ascent to Worship)
- Trying to Build Family without the LORD…VAIN!
- The Father Works FOR Family. (builds, guards, gives…)
- Children Are Valuable.
To state as a Call to Action… Value Children!
Psalm 127
Children Are Valuable.
ILL – Preacher, you really are “Captain Obvious!” (Duh!)
Everybody knows children are Valuable…
“Behold” == An Interjection that Call for Attention…
Often, an obvious Truth, Overlooked (Look!)
a) Abortion – CDC – Legal Reported Abortions (800,000+)
23 abortions for every 100 Live births
b) Foster Care in OK
11,000+ children…4,000 waiting for Adoption
c) Divorce Rate
Don’t want to Stay Together JUST for the Kids.
Passion/Personal Fulfillment Vs. Children
Behold, Look at this Truth — Obvious yet Overlooked —
Children Are Valuable!
Our Practical Motive to Value of Children.
Exp – Psalm 127, connected to Solomon, Wisdom Literature,
Very Practical…Pragmatic… Self-Interest!
- Property, Salary, Security, Social Standing
- The Quality of Your Life will be determined largely by the character of your children and the Quality of your Relationship with them.
ILL – Imagine that Warren Buffett whispered an Investment Tip
- Solomon gives you an Investment Tip
- Invest in your Children…. Big Pay-Off!
App – Liability….Responsibility….Asset
It is not untypical of God’s gifts that first they are Liabilities,
or at least Responsibilities, before they become Assets. The
Greater their promise, the more likely that these sons will be
A handful before they become a quiverful.
Derek Kidner, Anglican Minister & OT scholar
(Just died, 2008, at age 95)
ILL – Imagine someone gave you a few lots of land.
- Neglect Land and it is only a Liability (Taxes & Trespassers)
- Take Responsibility to Care for, Cultivate, Construct
- The Liability becomes an Asset!
App – Responsibility Turns Liabilities into Assets! (Wise Investment)
T/S – The Psalm packs Power because it speaks to a Higher Motive.
Our Theological Motive to Value Children
Exp – Vs. 3a – Children are a Gift of the LORD
- children are FROM the LORD…Source!
All Children!
- “Gift” = Heritage = Promised Land Allotment
Children are Like God’s Gift of the Promised Land to
His People:
God’s Grace Toward Us.
God’s Claim On Us. (Faithful Stewards)
The Land was Always, Actually, His…Given in Trust.
Children Are a Sacred Trust … Always, Actually His!
ILL – Solomon grew up with a Dad consumed with Career.
David was always Fighting Battles, Building cities.
David rose to political power, unrivaled wealth, Fame.
He was a passive Father, an Adulterer, Neglected Kids!
- Shame, Heart-ache…. David’s Failure as Father created the Cracks in the foundation of his family that soon caused Kingdom to Crumble!
- His Unfaithfulness to Family was Unfaithfulness to the LORD!
App – Children are Valuable, not because they are Ours;
But because they are His!
A Heritage of the LORD
